For outsized cargo transport

Featuring one of the most voluminous cargo holds of any civil or military aircraft flying today, the Airbus Beluga offers a unique way to transport oversized air cargo. Also known as A300-600ST Super Transporter, the company’s five existing Belugas play a key role in keeping its production and assembly network operating at full capacity, with the fleet’s overall pace of operations – managed by the Airbus Transport International (ATI) subsidiary – growing to support production ramp-ups.

Aircraft weights and capabilities shown are the highest values. Ranges shown are for typical passenger load.

Airlifter extraordinaire

With more than 20 years of reliable service, the Beluga carries complete sections of Airbus aircraft from different production sites around Europe to the final assembly lines in Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany. The five-aircraft fleet of A300-600ST Belugas – operated by the Airbus Transport International (ATI) subsidiary – transports fuselage sections, wings and tails for Airbus’ single-aisle A320 and wide-body A330 families, along with parts for the A350 XWB.

ATI ensures a high level of customer satisfaction with loading, unloading, and delivery designed to be fast, safe, flexible, and reliable – as demonstrated by over two decades of successful operations throughout the world.

Expanding capabilities: BelugaXL

To support the A350 XWB ramp-up and other production rate increases, Airbus will gradually replace its five-aircraft A300-600ST fleet with six BelugaXL aircraft, derived from the company’s versatile A330 wide-body product line.

In addition to the significant use of existing components and equipment, Airbus’ new A330-based BelugaXLs will incorporate newly-developed elements including its lowered cockpit, a highly-enlarged cargo bay structure, and modified rear and tail section.

The no. 1 BelugaXL performed its maiden flight in July 2018, with the first of these aircraft planned to enter service during the second half of 2019 – initially operating in parallel with the existing A300-600ST fleet, which is to be progressively retired through 2025.

BelugaXL by the numbers

The BelugaXL will gradually replace the existing five-member Beluga ST fleet – which is used for carrying complete sections of Airbus aircraft from different production sites around Europe to the final assembly lines in Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany. Learn more about Airbus’ next-generation oversize cargo aircraft with this special “animated infographic.”Read lessRead more

BelugaXL: countdown to service entry

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Speed and efficiency

Beluga combines outsized cargo-carrying capability with the speed and efficiency of Airbus’s A300-600 airliner. It enables short transport times for production, and the large main cargo deck minimizes the need for payload breakdown, crating and packaging.

The semi-automated main deck cargo loading system ensures easy and efficient handling of payloads, controlled by the trained crews of Airbus Transport International – which operates the five-aircraft Beluga fleet.

Flight deck

The Beluga retains the same modern flight deck that is in worldwide operation on Airbus A300-600s and A310s.

It is operated by a three-member crew comprising two pilots and a loadmaster. The main instrument panel incorporates six cathode ray tube (CRT) displays that continuously provide flight, navigation and systems-monitoring information in a clear, comprehensive manner.

Also included in the cockpit are controls for a transportable heating module that can be installed in the main deck cargo compartment. The module provides temperature-controlled conditions for sensitive payloads carried by the Beluga, including satellites and paintings.

Airbus Beluga - Patrouille de France 4

The Beluga transporter aircraft, which flew in formation with the French Air Force “Patrouille de France” aerobatic demonstration team on 30 May 2014, plays a vital role in ensuring the ramp-up of several Airbus programmes

Airbus Beglua loading hangar

Six new loading hangars dedicated to Airbus' Beluga cargo carriers – the first of which opened May 2014 in Hamburg, Germany – will help these freighters increase their flight hour totals to support the company's latest production rate increases

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The flight crew and workers involved with the maiden flight of Airbus’ no. 2 BelugaXL – performed 15 April 2019 – celebrate this achievement in Toulouse, France

The first flight of Airbus’ second BelugaXL is celebrated by the flight crew that performed it (from left to right): Karl-Heinz Mai, Experimental Test Pilot – Captain for the flight; Michel Gagneux, Experimental Test Pilot; Gérard Maisonneuve, Test Flight Engineer; and Jaime Angoloti; Flight Test Engineer

Airbus’ no. 2 BelugaXL oversize airlifter takes to the skies for the first time, commencing its maiden flight from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport – which is adjacent to the company’s headquarters in southwestern France

The no. 2 BelugaXL – which performed its maiden flight on 15 April 2019 – will join a six-aircraft fleet that carries complete sections of Airbus aircraft from different production sites around Europe to the final assembly lines in Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany

Airbus’ next-generation oversize airlifter programme marked another key milestone with the successful first flight of the no. 2 BelugaXL, which took off from, and landed at, Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in southwestern France

Airbus’ no. 2 BelugaXL – whose livery features beluga whale-inspired eyes and an enthusiastic grin – taxis at France’s Toulouse-Blagnac Airport before its maiden flight, performed on 15 April 2019

Airbus’ second of six next-generation BelugaXL oversize cargo airlifters – which performed its maiden flight on 15 April 2019 – stops for a “family photo” alongside one of the five in-service Beluga ST versions

The no. 2 BelugaXL flew for the first time on 15 April 2019, keeping up Airbus’ pace for the introduction of its next-generation oversize airlifter – which was designed to transport large airframe components within the company’s aircraft production network
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